Culture and Identity Report: Appropriation, Fashion, and Design

This report delves into the multifaceted themes of culture and identity, exploring their impact across various domains. It examines Disney's 'Aladdin' as a case study of cultural appropriation, analyzing how the film industry navigates cultural sensitivity. The report also discusses La Sape, a subculture in the Congo, highlighting the interplay between fashion, identity, and historical context. Furthermore, it investigates the design industry's challenges in avoiding cultural appropriation, using examples like Counterfeit Native Art and the significance of design in India. The report also addresses the fashion industry's issues with race and discrimination. Through these diverse perspectives, the report offers insights into the complex relationship between culture, identity, and societal practices, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural norms and promoting inclusivity.

Culture & Identity

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Disney’s Aladdin and the appropriation of culture 500.........................................................3
The Art of La Sape: Fashion Tips from Congo’s “Sapeurs”..................................................4
How Can the Design Industry Avoid Appropriation?............................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
Books and Journals.................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Culture shapes a person's personality by influencing how they perceive themselves and the
communities in which they associate. The beliefs and behaviours prevailing at home and in the
local society form a person's view of their own and others as it helps to identities. Culture
includes the norms, practices that need to be known to the society (Lee, Masuda and Reiche,
2018). Cultural identity is a key factor in wellbeing of people. People who identify with a
specific community feel a sense of identity and stability. It also gives people access to social
networks that provide resources as well as common beliefs and goals. This report is based on
discussion related various articles and how the theme is related to the culture and identity. It is
vital to gain proper understanding of the culture and identity.
MAIN BODY
Disney’s Aladdin and the appropriation of culture
According to Ashfaque Swapan 2019, the theatre and these movies also face critiques. The
major issue is that people relate the character and judge the movie based on the culture of the
place. All this has become culturally sensitive. The story is actually China based and there are
two genies in the story. Those are one with the lamp that is more solid, while the other has a ring.
Such significant rights are also exercised. There is lack of cultural ambience in the film. All these
films crate impact on the people that are watching the movie. The film industry should consider
all the factors before launching the movie (Lee, Fu and Reiche, 2018). As all the people that are
interested in fairy tales would get influenced by these films and this will disturb them. Each and
every person starts connecting to it may cause problems as they have different culture. It is
important that the imagination that is used is somewhere relatable. As the humans and the
audience start feeling and try to relate it with the movie. As it is seen that Disney normally
publishes the movie and try to capture lot of customers (Deitering, Stoddart and Schroeder,
2017). Their target is to make the product available to all. As there is diversity in the culture this
is depressing if the same becomes the end product of the movies. As these cinemas are treated as
source of entertainment and the target is to spread happiness. In this news article there is a proper
discussion related to the movie launched by Disney that is Aladdin. It is a fairy tale and the
ambience of culture is lacking. As it is important to use the imagination that is not beyond the
culture. It is seen that it causes a bad and disturbing impact on the audience. This movie is just an

example this article is based on the film industry and the impact they are causing. It is important
to note that the movies that are presented should be based on following the cultural norms and
taking care of all the important factors (Xu, 2018). It is important to respect and follow all the
points that may harm the culture of any person or individual watching the film.
The Art of La Sape: Fashion Tips from Congo’s “Sapeurs”
As per the point of view of Wright, 2017 Sapeurism is a subculture that is well-known in the
Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and then it is rapidly spreading to
other nations. It is followed from Colonial period when the slaves were not given compensation
but they were given clothes for the work. This was the sign that they inferior to the masters. They
were also given hints of the style that is followed by the masters. It is seen that the clothes that
were given to them are after taking caring of the style. The problem that is seen and noted is that
this culture is passed from generation to generation (Labben, 2017). It is seen that this practice is
still used. People are giving clothes to the slaves till the date. It is seen in the subculture of
Brazzaville and Kinshasa. It has become the cultural identity of these two places. In past it was
followed only for men but at today’s time this practice is seen in women and also the children.
The culture has changes and now these working people are respected (Melayeva, and
Kovalevska, 2018). They are earning money and taking care of the living standards. It is
observed that they are unable to buy and catch the latest and trendy clothing. They are unable to
use and live according to the fashion. This has given rise to the culture of Sapeurs being followed
in a respectful way. The working population is given clothes that are up to date and are
fashionable. It is seen that the living there are trying to live quality life by wearing the
fashionable clothes. But it is said by the Sapeurs that the masters wear the branded clothes and
the one given to them are not the same. This is gap in culture that can be observed and seen
there. It can be interpreted that the cultural is followed from history. These people are giving
clothes to the slave’s in spite of the compensation. It is also observed that in the current time
masters are not giving the quality and the fashion that is being used by them.
How Can the Design Industry Avoid Appropriation?
According to Silva, 2019 design is a part of culture and it denotes the culture. It is important
to note that Counterfeit Native Art is an example of cultural appropriation. It is seen that it is
important to take care of the culture and big brands should honour the culture. It is important for
them to follow the designing process that is going on through and from culture (Dornas, 2019).

As all the companies are switching towards Urban Outfits, it has impact on the culture and the
top brands are not using the and following the culture. In India design is given importance and is
being used at every level following the design. As the motive is not only to sell but to let the
people remember the culture. Also the outfit of people is sign and shows the place that they
belong to.
The design of blankets is also taken into consideration. It has been examined that is also
based on some geometric pattern. It is seen that all this is followed and respected. This going on
from ancient times and in India these cultural related designs are always followed and taken care
(Rabiau, 2019). This culture is recognised all over the world and these blankets are also sign of
cultural appropriation. It is noted that the artists honour the culture and they use them in the
designs. It is seen that the handicrafts and the work done by the artists have been given great
support and recognition in the market (Nærland, 2020). The artisans are earning lot of money
and getting benefit of the culture. These designs are used by the businesses to earn profits and
follow them. In weddings and functions the designs of the clothes are still taken care. It is
important to note that design plays an important role and represents the culture. It is important to
note that the culture of a place should be taken care. It is seen that the art industry has always
supported the culture in India. All this needs to be taken into consideration and respected. It
clearly shows that the people should respect the culture and follow it. It creates a positive impact
on the people and they feel good to see that the culture is being followed and respected.
The Fashion and Race Database
As per the point of view of Rezaei and Bahrami, 2019 fashion plays a vital role in the culture and
identity. It is seen from the history that the fashion industry is earning good profits. It is also a
sign that shows and talks about the culture. But there are various challenges that are being faced
by the fashion industry. It has seen that the problems related to race is being faced by the fashion
industry. The social media is also in support of these challenges and are shown to the normal
people. The digital platforms are showing the fact that there is race discrimination has become
part of the fashion industry as well (Borry, 2020). As the black are not given and allowed to give
ideas and start any trend. As it is important to note that this will cause problem in the fashion
industry. As these black people are not given the rights. There is problem in the fashion industry
as well. They are not given right to show up. This is a fact that needs to be taken care and should
be given opportunities. The art should be honoured and the ones that have talent should be

respected. It is important to find solution to all these obstacles. As the fashion industry is huge
and has huge coverage. It is seen that it creates impact on the audience as well. As it also creates
the impact on the audience that are using and are part on the industry. It is vital to take care of
discrimination at every level. There is taken care of all the eco friendly methods so that it does
not harm the environment (Toman, 2019). So it is equally important to consider the racial
discrimination and eliminate it from the fashion industry. This is going on from a long time in
past and it is time to consider the facts and abolish them. There are large people that are inspired
by the fashion industry.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be summarized that culture has significant social and economic
implications. Culture improves the quality of life and promotes general well-being for both
individuals and families by improving learning and fitness, increasing well being of community,
and providing opportunities to connect with others. In the report there are different articles that
are taken into consideration and they implication of the culture and audience is part of this
report.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Rezaei, S. and Bahrami, A., 2019. Cultural identity among Iranian English language
teachers. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 7(1), pp.67-82.
Borry, E.L., 2020. Social equity and popular culture: Gender and gender identity on TV. Public
Integrity, pp.1-18.
Nærland, T.U., 2020. Populism and Popular Culture: The Case for an Identity-Oriented
Perspective. Perspectives on Populism and the Media: Avenues for Research, 7, p.293.
Dornas, A., 2019. The Concept of Identity and Culture in Three Collections of a Designer–
Contemporary Elements. The Design Journal, 22(5), pp.737-746.
Silva, T.J., 2019. Straight identity and same-sex desire: Conservatism, homophobia, and straight
culture.
Melayeva, I. and Kovalevska, O., 2018. LANGUAGE AS AN ATTRIBUTE OF NATIONAL
IDENTITY. ВСТУПНЕ СЛОВО 9 ПЛЕНАРНЕ ЗАСІДАННЯ 11, p.147.
Wright, R.D., 2017. The shattering of cultural identity: the Anglo-Indian community in rural
India. International Journal of Anglo-Indian Studies, 2(1).
Deitering, A.M., Stoddart, R. and Schroeder, R., 2017. The self as subject: Autoethnographic
research into identity, culture, and academic librarianship. Association of College and
Research Libraries.
Lee, Y.T., Masuda, A.D., Fu, X. and Reiche, B.S., 2018. Navigating between home, host, and
global: Consequences of multicultural team members’ identity configurations. Academy
of Management Discoveries, 4(2), pp.180-201.
Xu, S., 2018. Cultivating national identity with traditional culture: China’s experiences and
paradoxes. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 39(4), pp.615-628.
Labben, A., 2017. Revisiting face and identity: Insights from Tunisian culture. Journal of
Pragmatics, 108, pp.98-115.
Rabiau, M.A., 2019. Culture, migration, and identity formation in adolescent refugees: a family
perspective. Journal of Family Social Work, 22(1), pp.83-100.
Toman, L., 2019. Navigating medical culture and LGBTQ identity. The clinical teacher, 16(4),
pp.335-338.